Below waterline damage

[freitknecht]

Does anyone have any experience in repairing minor below waterline damage from running aground? I ran aground in sand with my Cape Dory 27 in August in the Cayuga Lake inlet (which needs to be dredged). I had to be pulled out but sailed without issue for the rest of the season. After the boat was hauled, I noticed some damage to the bottom of the keel, worse in the fore portion. The boat has barrier coat and Micron CSC from the spring. Not sure if it requires fiberglass or just epoxy. Not sure if I need a professional opinion. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Felice

[Maine_Buzzard]

Your comment about fiberglass or epoxy is a bit confusing. If there's damage below the gelcoat where you can see the glass cloth, it will require grinding down to solid laminate, feathering out, and then adding layers of fiberglass cloth and resin to build it back up. You then fill it with a low density filler coat, smooth to the overall profile, barrier coat, then bottom paint.

Without looking at it, estimating is impossible. Get a quote from a boatyard experienced in repairs.

For a small patch, the materials needed (+ time) will be more than having a shop do it.

[Paul D.]

Felice,

I had a chunk taken out of Femme's keel once when some "friends" ran her aground in Grand Marais harbor. It was about 3/4" deep at it's deepest and three inches long. The next spring after sitting on the hard for the winter, I fixed it this way.

After cleaning it and the surrounding area with acetone, I used West System 105/205 epoxy with colloidal silica #406 added to make a peanut butter consistency and filled it. I filled half way, let the epoxy kick (harden) then before full cure filled the rest. There were a couple other little scrapes on the keel I filled as well. After fully cured I sanded with 120 till smooth, cleaned and painted.

Since bottom painting over it, you can barely tell it got gouged. Hope this helps.

[freitknecht]

Thanks Paul. Your detailed comments were very helpful. I think that the damage is only about a 1/4 inch deep and probably not that significant. I had a lot of deck restoration done last winter and so I am overly concerned about any new issues that may compromise the integrity of the boat. I will have the boat yard look at it but I would prefer to learn how to take care of it myself and will follow your advise.
By the way, I have seen pictures of your boat and it looks really beautiful. Sailing on Lake Superior must be wonderful.
Felice

[Jeff and Sarah]

Paul is right on with his recommendation. The fiberglass is so thick that a small gouge like that shouldn't worry you at all. Fill and fair with thickened epoxy, bottom paint, and forget it ever happened!

[freitknecht]

Thanks Jeff and Sarah. That is very reassuring. Appreciate your input.